Fish trap



June 27, 1939. o'. K. BENCA n AL 2,163,973

FISH TRAP `Filed Oct. 3l, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l By @mao/@2M A iorneys 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FISH TRAP O. K. BENCA El AL Filed Oct. 3l, 1938 hz ma' Inventor.: Off/J Ee/70a grcZ//a/c 56,170@

A By Attorneys June 27, 1939.

O. K. BENCA El' AL FISH TRAP Filed Oct. 5l, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenor June 27,1939. o, K BNCA Er AL 2,163,973

FISH TRAP Filed oct. 51, 193e 5 sheets-sheet s gm @i mail :e J 7i Inventors By ,QM

Patented June 27, 1939 PATENT OFFICE FISH TRAP Otto K. Benca and Ferdinand Benca, Chicago, Ill.

'Application october 31, 193s, serial No. 238,014

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in sh traps and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manneras hereinafter set forth, a device of this character em'- bodying a construction which is such that the fish may enter from substantially any direction, y

including the bottom.

y Another very important object of the invention is to provide a trap of the aforementioned character embodying a novel construction and arrangement whereby the sh caught therein will be kept alive, vigorous and uninjured until removed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a trap of the character described whichis adapted to'catch different sizes of ilsh,

including minnows.

A still furtherimportant object of the invention is to provide a trap of the character set forth embodying a novel construction, arrangement and appearance whereby the ilsh will be lured thereinto Other objects of the invention are to provide a sh trap of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly emcient and reliable in use, compact, light in weight and which may be manufactured at low cost. l,

All of the lforegoing and lvstill further objects and advantages of the invention will become ap'- parent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutv the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an embodaneht of the invention, shawls; tnetrap sui-` merged in the water and in use.

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section through the trap.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectionalview, take substantially on the line l-"I of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 5 is a detail view in elevation of the Figure 9 is a detail view in vertical sectionv through one of the supporting legs.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen thatl the embodiment of the invention which has been. illustrated comprises what may be referred to as lower and upper compartments or chambers which are designated generally by the reference characters A and B, respectively. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the lower chamber A is tapered and the upper chamber B is substantially dome shaped.

'Ihe lower chamber A of the trap includes a frame structure of suitable rust proof metal which is designated generally by the reference numeral I. 'I'he frame I includes spaced, inclined rods 2 having inwardly projecting upper end portions secured in a ring 3. Mounted on the lower portions of the rods I is a ring 4. As shown to advantage in Fig. 9 o f the drawings, the lower end portions of the rods I are threaded and project below the ring l. Mounted on the ring 4 are apertured ears 5 through which the rods I pass. Supporting legs 6 are threaded on the lower end portions of the rods I. Nuts 'l are threaded on the rods I above the ears 5 and interposed between said nuts and said ears are sleeves 8. Thus, the ears 5 are clamped between the sleeves 8 and the supporting legs 6.

Mounted on the frame I is a foraminous cover 9 of suitable rust proof metal. Between the rods 2 the foramious cover 9 is drawn inwardly and secured in a taut condition to comparatively large and small lower and upper metalic rings Ill and II, respectively, in a manner to provide a plurality of entrances, as shown to advantage in Fig. 3 of the drawings. These entrances are designated by the reference numeral I2. Substantially ovate openings I4 are provided at the inner ends of the entrances I2. The walls of the openings Il are provided with reinforcements I3 extending between the rings I and I I. r

'I'he lower chamber A further includes a'foraminous bottom I carried by a ring I6 at its periphery, said ring I6 being mounted on the ring 4. 'I'he bottom I5 is formed to provide a comparatively wide, substantially flat upwardly extending entrance throat I1 which is supported by a plurality of flexible rods or wires I8 fromcertain of the rods I. Referring now to Fig. 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that the ends of the entrance throat I1 are slotted, as at I9, and connected by resilient elements in a manner to permit expansion. The throat I1, of course, provides a non-return entrance to the lower chamber A of the trap and the resilient elements 2li permit the passage of comparatively large sh.

The upper chamber B of the trap comprises a frame structure which is designated generally by the reference numeral 2|. The frame structure upper ends, the rods 22 terminate in downturned hooks 23 which are engaged in apertures which -are provided therefor in a metallic plate 24. The

hooks 23 are retained in the plate 24 by an upper plate 25. The spacer 26 is provided between the plates 24 and 25. The elements 24, 25 and 26 are clamped together through the medium of nuts 2i on an eye bolt 28. The frame 2| further includes a plurality of rings 29 which are fixed on the rods 22. Mounted on the frame 2| is a foraminous cover 30 of suitable rust proof metal.

The upper chamber B of the trap further comprises a substantially conical foraminous bottom 3| secured, at its periphery, to a. ring 32 to which the upper end of the foraminous cover 3 of the lower chamber A is also secured. The ring 32 is mounted on the ring 3. The foraminous bottom 3| of the upper chamber B is formed to provide an upstanding, comparatively wide and substantially iiat entrance throat 33 which is substantially similar in construction and operation to the entrance throat of the lower chamber A. The entrance throat 33 is supported by rods 34 from certain of the frame rods 22.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings, it will be seen that the reference numeral 35 designates a foraminous door which is hingedly mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on one of the rings 29 of the frame structure 2|, as at 36. A suitable lock 31 is provided for securing the door 35 in closed position. The reference numeral 38 (see Fig. 1) designates a buoy which is connected by a cable 39 or the like to the eye bolt 28. Mounted 0n the buoy 38 is a iiag 40.

The reference numeral 4| (see Fig. 2) designates a frame which is mounted in the lower chamber A of the trap through the medium of rods 42. Mounted in the frame 4| is a transparent bowl 43 for the reception of live minnows. Referring now to Fig. 7 of the drawings, it will be observed that the bowl 43 comprises a foraminous bottom 44 and is provided with a cap or cover 45 of similar material. The trap is camoufiaged by suitable natural or artificial marine growth 46 draped over the upper and lower portions thereof.

It is thought that the manner in which the trap functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Fish, attracted by the live minnows in the transparent bowl 43, approach the camoufiaged trap and enter the lower chamber A thereof through any of the long, narrow openings |4 or the throat in the bottom I5. From the chamber A, the fish pass upwardly through the throat 33 into the upper chamber B of the trap where they are held in captivity. It will be seen that the construction and arrangement is such that the fish thus caught will be kept alive and uninjured until removed. To empty the trap it is only necessary to raise it from the water through the medium of the cable 39 and open the door 35 to permit the removal of the fish from-the chamber B, after which the trap may be immediately lowered again. The foraminous bottom 44 of the bowl 43 permits the water to empty from said bowl thereby decreasing the weight when the trap is raised out of the water.

It is believed that the many advantages of a fish trap constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, should the trap be made of a size for catching minnows or very small fish, Cellophane or similar transparent material may be substituted for the foraminous elements 9 and 30.

What is claimed is:

1. A fish trap of the class described comprising a foraminous lower chamber and a foraminous upper chamber mounted thereon, said lower chamber having an entrance opening in its bottom and a plurality of entrance openings in its walls, a transparent receptacle suspended in the lower chamber for the reception of live minnows. and a non-return passage for the fish establishing communication between the upper and lower chambers.

2. A fish trap comprising a tapered lower chamber and a substantially dome-shaped upper chamber mounted thereon, the lower chamber having a plurality of entrance openings therein, and a non-return passage for the fish between the upper and lower chambers, said non-return passage comprising a foraminous cone mounted in the lower portion of the upper chamber and including an upstanding, comparatively wide, fiat throat portion having slotted ends, and resilient elements connecting the side walls of the slots for permitting expansion of the throat.

3. A fish trap of the class described comprising a substantially tapered lower chamberand a substantially dome shaped upper chamber mounted thereon, said lower chamber including a frame structure, a foraminous cover mounted on said frame structure having a plurality 0f vertically elongated entrance openings therein, the lower chamber further including a foraminous bottom comprising an upstanding, comparatively wide,

substantially fiat throat portion having slots in its ends, resilient elements connecting the vertical walls of the slots, and a transparent container in the lower chamber for the reception of minnows.

4. A fish trap of the class described comprising a substantially tapered lower chamber and a substantially dome shaped upper chamber mounted thereon, said lower chamber including a frame structure. a foraminous cover mounted on said frame structure having a plurality of vertically elongated entrance openings therein, the lower chamber further including a foraminous bottom comprising an upstanding, comparatively wide, substantially flat throat4 portion having slots in its ends, resilient elements connecting the vertical walls of the slots, and a transparent container in the lower chamber forthe reception of minnows, the upper chamber including a frame structure mounted on the first named frame structure, a foraminous cover on the second named frame structure, and a non-return passage for the fish establishing communication between the upper chamber and the lower chamber.

O'I'IO K. BENCA. FERDINAND BENCA. 

